Letters to the Editor
VFD Leadership Concerns
It has come to my attention that a public official, the Vermilion Fire Chief, has altered their social media profile in a manner that appears to mock a private individual, Joseph Jones. Furthermore, comments from associated individuals, including Jolene Chief Brown’s girlfriend, seem to compound this issue. Additionally, the Chief’s public posts regarding “liars” raise concerns about professionalism and decorum.
As a representative of a respected city department, such actions are troubling and unbecoming of someone in a leadership role. This behavior not only undermines trust in our public servants but also raises serious questions about judgment and the ability to uphold the standards expected of this position.
I urge city leadership to address this matter promptly. Public officials have a responsibility to maintain professionalism and serve as examples of integrity and respect, both in their official duties and in their personal conduct. Mockery, defensiveness, or actions that could be perceived as retaliatory are simple unacceptable.
Such actions reflect poorly on Chief Brown’s judgment, maturity, and professionalism, as well as the culture within the department under his leadership. As a public official and leader of a critical service, Chief Brown has an obligation to uphold the highest standards of integrity, accountability, and respect, both on and off duty. Behavior that includes mockery, dishonesty, or deflection of responsibility is unacceptable, especially when lives are at stake.
It is imperative that city leadership address these troubling actions swiftly and thoroughly. The citizens of Vermilion deserve fire department leaders who are trustworthy, professional, and committed to serving the community with respect and honor.
Chandra Rampersaud
Editor’s Note: Joe found it pretty funny. Even changed his profile picture to the image above. Now can we work on getting the Captain in proper gear, people to actually do equipment checks, an honest audit of their certifications? I wouldn’t hold my breath.
Parent Against Lifewise
In light of the other article, I requested to write one to respond to several issues. It’s my greatest desire to have a fully informed public on this matter. My views are my own.
HB 8 – known by its supporters as “The Parents Bill of Rights” has been added to by our Representatives in the Ohio Statehouse to ultimately undermine our rights and those we voted for.
The added language will impose Religious Time Release for Instruction (RTRI) on every public school by forcing them to adopt a policy that releases children to any group that fulfills the incredibly basic conditions with no standards or requirements. It will also decree that STEM, art, music, and other classes that aren’t core classes like English, mathematics,
Link to HB 8 hearing where this was added:
https://ohiochannel.org/video/ohio-senate-education-committee-12-10-2024
The amendment is added near minute 57.
This is what Buddy Workman was talking about on December 1st when he told Vermilion that Christmas was coming:
https://youtu.be/yc7y5tjs7uQ?si=977tuBt5__sPSrSi
You may ask, what is RTRI and its history?
Religious instruction has occurred in our schools and outside of it, this is true. In 1952, per the ruling Zorach v Clauson (343 US 306 -1952) parents were told that they could have their children leave school for religious instruction IF it was off school grounds, with liability assumed by the organization, by parents’ written permission, and without any support -financial or otherwise by the government. It was meant to help minority religious children leave and return without causing issues or major disruption to the school day. Education was supposed to continue without a few students leaving.
Flashforward to today and instead of small local groups helping small groups of local kids we have a large movement of franchised Southern Babtist Evangelical with the backing of several national groups including The Heritage Foundation, the Family Research Council and Moms4Liberty called LifeWise Academy pulling up to 95% of a class out of school.
Lifewise Academy started in 2018. Yes, it is off school grounds and it doesn’t directly use any school funds. LifeWise Academy does have a process online to sign children up and electronically sign (with no process to check this information). The program uses Lifeway’s Gospel Project curriculum, guided by Southern Baptist Evangelical teachings. Before July of this year, you couldn’t see the curriculum. It took activism and being sued to get even samples out. From its inception, it required parents to sign away their rights for liability and refused until a few months ago to fix this- in violation of the Zorach ruling and Ohio law.
To say there are many issues with LifeWise Academy is far too mild a descriptive act. Bullying and ostracization have been highlighted by schools, parents, and professionals as being an issue LifeWise has added to, not reduced problems. Dr. David Hile’s Testimony. Neal Whitman’s Testimony link – Reynoldsburg Schools Kara Coate’s testimony- Gahanna Schools Disruption. Many schools have reported that LifeWise days are disruptive to the flow of students- often running late or causing issues for office staff. Please see another board members’ take on this- Michael Collins of Milford Schools.
Many supporters say LifeWise helps children and cite a study by Thomas P. Miller and Associates. This study was not peer reviewed. Peer review is a process through which researchers in similar fields hold each other accountable. There is no LifeWise provided outside validation of the results claimed. Honest for Ohio Education requested several academic research to analyze the study.
They found the following: (source- Honesty for Ohio Education)
As you can see, cherry-picked data does not make a concrete basis for actual scientific evidence.
The biggest question, often glossed over by supporters, is why not after school?
A daily intervention for kids, outside of school time, and riding the LifeWise red buses to a religious place for after-school activities. This could help many families.
Because the motto is “during school hours” and not “to bring kids to Christ”. It doesn’t serve the agenda. The agenda, per the words of the founder and others, is to break the separation of church and state which keeps our children free to believe as they like.
Finally, I absolutely want to clarify that my issue is the intrusion of this big, well-backed organization into our schools that I take issue with and not Christians. There is a clear difference between the many good people I know who exemplify being Christ-like and those who use their faith as a sword against the rights of others- Christian Nationalists. It’s not the people, it’s the actions and behavior towards others that I take issue with.
I ask my fellow citizens of Vermilion to take action. Ask for HB 8 to be passed clean and leave local rule to our elected school board and leave our education time to our teachersWe need to protect our school day and let parents prioritize religion on their time here in Vermilion.
Katherine Schwanitz
Editors Note: Some of the authors claims, especially that Lifewise is linked to Christian Nationalism or involved with the Heritage Foundation are unproven. They are the views of the author and not Vermilion Daily or it’s Staff.
Unqualified Safety Director?
After the loss of 18 well-trained, experienced, seasoned, and I might add the best volunteer fire department this City could have, I am wondering WHY our Mayor thinks he has the credentials, experience and resume to appoint HIMSELF to be the SAFETY DIRECTOR?? Especially at this time, given all of our safety concerns, why does he think he should be trusted to watch over ALL of our safety concerns??? Our public safety concerns reach far beyond our police and fire departments.
However, it obvious what his leadership has done to our Fire Department! The Mayor has often said that ‘the buck stops with him. He needs to put a SAFETY DIRECTOR in place that understands SAFETY AND THE BIG PICTURE. Maybe, he needs to make a CHANGE—THERE ARE SOME CHANGES THAT THIS CITY NEEDS AND WOULD EMBRACE! NOW, WHO DOESN’T LIKE CHANGE?
Respectfully,
Jean Anderson
Chief Bill Brown is still married. Although he states that he’s going threw a divorce since the 1st day when he walked into the VFD, as Chief.